In 1988 Hockey Saskatchewan created an elite Sask First Program designed for participants to promote the development of players, coaches, officials, and trainers. This in-depth developmental program helps to give a better understanding of the game both on and off the ice, as well as promoting a team concept to ensure the pursuit of common goals.
This Program has brought great pride and accomplishment within Saskatchewan as their mission is to promote, lead and develop positive hockey experiences across the entire Province of Saskatchewan.
In December, this Sask First High Performance Program opened up to all players in the U15 category to attend regional camps held in the province. This year the Regional Sask First Selection Camp was held December 2nd – 4th, 2022 for athletes born in 2008. It was divided into two camps, North Camp (Zones 5-8), held in Aberdeen, Sk., and South Camp (Zones 1-4) in Lumsden, Sk.
A group of Martensville Marauders were invited to attend this camp and following this camp, the top 80 players from the North and top 80 players from the South have been chosen to attend the Top 160 Tournament that will be held in Regina on December 28 – 30th. Marauder U15 AA players Austin Root, Tyson Janzen, Cohen Klassen, Kash Ringdal, Broden Wotherspoon and Easton Woytiuk were among the top 80 chosen from the North to continue on to this next tournament.
A second tournament in February will feature the top 80 at which time the top 25-30 are chosen to attend the upcoming summer camp. Not only will all players have the opportunity to compete with their peers, but they will also receive significant exposure as scouts from a variety of elite leagues will be in attendance.
This Sask First Program is a gateway to Hockey Canada’s High Performance Program such as the World Juniors.
Every four years this selected team competes in the Canada Winter Games which happens to be this upcoming 2023 year and will be hosted in Prince Edward Island in February.
Kazden Mathies and Carsen Adair, two Marauders born in 2007, along with Assistant Coach Todd White, have already been chosen to represent Team Sask in the 2023 Canada Winter Games.
